Detroit Red Wings' Darren Helm celebrates scoring the game-winning goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in of Game 4 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series, Friday, May 6, 2011 in Detroit. Detroit won 4-3, but the Sharks lead the series 3-1. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Down three games to one and headed to San Jose for Game 5 Sunday, it still seems highly unlikely the Red Wings will rally to defeat the San Jose Sharks.

But this much you must give the Red Wings, regardless of what occurs the remainder of the Stanley Cup playoffs: They did show their championship pedigree, albeit briefly, Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.

Having blown a three-goal lead, and with whatever hope that remained turned to despair, the Red Wings put together a tremendous flurry on San Jose goalie Antti Niemi late in the third period.

A sellout crowd, which had gone from boisterous to sitting on its hands became boisterous again.

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Finally, when Darren Helm buried the game-winning goal with 1:27 remaining in regulation time, you'd never know the Red Wings remain down by such a lopsided margin in this series.

Maybe it is false hope, but it was like the 7,000-pound gorilla in the building had finally been removed.

The Sharks had beaten the Red Wings in seven straight one-goal games at this very point of the playoffs last spring and this one.

It so unlike the Red Wings to be getting schooled that way - regardless the caliber of opponent.

"The whole series has been very tight," Red Wings' coach Mike Babcock said. "They have found a way to score even-strength goals, and we've struggled. Tonight we scored more goals."

Last spring, the Red Wings responded to their one-goal losses to the Sharks with a punishing Game 4 victory.

It looked like a similar plot was developing Friday as the Red Wings roared to a 3-0 lead during the first period. Nicklas Lidstrom had two of the goals. Todd Bertuzzi the other one, on a backhanded shot that came at the end of a beautiful 360 degrees move in the middle of the circle to the right of Niemi.

But the second period has killed the Red Wings in this series. Friday it didn't go well again. The Sharks scored even strength goals less than five minutes apart to cut the deficit to 3-2 entering the third period.

It was impossible at this point not to hear whispers of, "Here we go again."

The Red Wings have not handled whatever prosperity they have had in this series well. Remember the 3-2 lead they had with just a little more than four minutes remaining in the pivotal Game 3? It vanished.

Less than two minutes into the third period, it disappeared again. Tie game, 3-3.

"It was game on, but I thought our guys stuck with it," Babcock said.

But finally the conclusion was different.

There are certain things to understand here. Lidstrom remains one of the best players in the world. His value to the Red Wings was enormous. When they've needed him most the last two games, he scored three goals, and he was plus-two Friday.

Last year, in this very same spot, the Red Wings lost another one-game to the Sharks.

The Sharks were defeated Friday, but hardly talking like a beaten team afterward.

"I like the fact we were resilient when we weren't playing well and carved our way back into the game," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. "I think the guys believed they could do it."

We'll see if it is different this time.

"We've got to go into their building and make it a series," Babcock said.

Regardless, at least there was Friday. Not only a pretty good effort by the Red Wings, but a result to match.